Windows 98 Boot Fail

Charliegaz94 · #1 10-09-2008, 08:11 AM

I shut down my computer, the next day i turned it on and got
"DISK BOOT FAILURE,INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

I need help

Ant · #2 10-13-2008, 09:56 AM

It means that your hard drive is no longer bootable, either because it is dead or has become corrupted.

Go into your BIOS (usually achieved by hitting a specific key at the prompt during boot), and see if the drive is still recognised, if you can still see it listed, then it's probably corrupted and might be ok after reformatting (you will lose any and all data on it if you do this), though if it isn't then it's probably died and needs replacing.

Charliegaz94 · #3 10-14-2008, 11:46 AM

windows does not detect a hard drive at all

TopFarmer · #4 10-14-2008, 07:29 PM

Go back into the bios and find the TIME, is it wrong ? If it is your bios battery is bad and needs replaced.

If the Time is correct than (remove power plug to comp first) reset both ends of the data cable to hdd/motherboard and the power connector. Replace power plug and try to boot. (If the comp is a desk top if laptop then ?)

Charliegaz94 · #5 10-15-2008, 01:34 PM

the time is right
how do i reset the data cable

also its a desktop computer

TopFarmer · #6 10-15-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

windows does not detect a hard drive at all

We better clarify "windows" ,is that in the bios display or something else ?

Note: when ever one is working inside the comp remove the power cord from comp to wall outlet.

The hdd data cable is the flat cable and it is carefully pulled from the hdd and put back. I'm assuming you have a pata hdd and not a sata hdd.

It is very possible the hdd is bad.
If the hdd is seen by the bios , use a 98 boot floppy and run fdisk select option #4 post what is displayed.

unionflag · #7 12-31-2008, 03:11 AM

Whenever you are confronted with this error, you should download the drive maker's diagnostic tool and test it. It will tell you if the drive has failed. The test bypasses Windows and interrogates the drive directly, even if your system can't 'see' it. Download the file to create a bootable floppy disk containing the testing tool.

You'll have to ascertain what make the hard disk is first. Since it won't be listed in Device Manager you'll have to open the system case and look at the label on the disk. You may have remove the screws and slide it out to see that.

It's pointless messing about with any other ideas till you've tested it. If the test says 'failed' that's the end of the road for it. No amount of messing about will bring it back. So save yourself some time and do it right. Previous posters mean well but a diagnostic test should come first because it's so easy to do yet gives you valuable information.

Charliegaz94 · #8 01-03-2009, 01:03 PM

got rid of it.
it was causing to much trouble.
got a new one

sorry for all the trouble